Lea Michele Covers Elle, Opens Up About The Process Of Public Grieving

We don't know whether Cory Monteith's death had yet occurred when Elle booked Lea Michele for the cover. But, certainly, that tragedy changed the tone of what would probably have been a nice, fluffy interview. Instead? Michele continues to reflect on Monteith's death in a way that is both consoling to his fans and indicative of her own uniquely intimate struggle.

“I never thought I would be in this position in my whole life," she said, and who could imagine it? But, she's not going to wallow in sadness; nor will she allow him to be forgotten, insisting that "Cory would want nothing more than for me to take this situation and use it to help people.” It's only recently that the Glee star has begun vocalizing her experience, months after Monteith was found dead in his hotel room in July. It's been a slow and careful recovery process, one that she says was invaluably aided by her friend Kate Hudson. Immediately after Monteith died, finding her house "swarmed with reporters," Michele called Hudson, who invited her to stay without a thought. She offered her refuge "like it was nothing. No one knew I was there. I’ll never really be able to thank her, truly, for what she did for me.”

Michele goes on to talk about her future plans, her unlikely career, and her philosophy on grief, all accompanied by a grimy, vaguely Vegas photo shoot. Read more and see the full spread on Elle.